Roses, for a Friend

Hello.  Life has gotten a bit messy lately.  Well, actually the whole month of May, was a living nightmare.  I know, how poopy.  But, I am a strong woman, and I have endured a lot worse, unfortunately.  And, that little piece of knowledge still hasn't taken the sting off of the horrible treatment I have endured at work.

I didn't get my June Happiness challenge out.  Actually, I haven't sat down to write it, yet.  I will.  It will be super late.  But, it will get done.  Because that is what I need to focus on now.  Happiness.  Peace.  Joy.  Reflection.  Family.   Friends.  

I made a few cakes, and posted images on various social media accounts.  Just quick little creations, that unfortunately didn't take a lot of effort, but did bring me some joy {smile}.

Today, I actually went into my craft room.  I haven't been there in over a month.  To say the stress and depression from work has really put a wrench in my creativeness, is a severe understatement.  But, I walked-in, head held high, and began looking through pattern papers to inspire me.  Then, I searched from some favorite embellishments: trim, ribbon, and a button {smile}.  I created a card.  I'm not sure who for, maybe my Etsy shop.  But, I wanted to craft something.  Something pretty.  Something simple.

I stopped by a few challenge sites, to get some of those old, forgotten creative mojo juices flowing.  I am entering this card in three challenges.  Not unique for me.  But, some very dear challenge sites.

My first stop was Mojo Monday.  I was incredible sad, when I read that they will no longer be active.  That little bit of news made my heart sink a bit deeper.  But, I truly understand the reasoning.  

My next stop was Word Art Wednesday.  This group of talented ladies, really have a lot of talent.  The write-up is always inspiring, and uplifting, so for that I am truly grateful.

And my final stop is Crazy 4 Challenges.  Their challenge this week:  rose.  June is rose month, so this group of talent paper crafters want to see a rose, or two, or a whole garden of them!

and here is what I created today:

Recipe:  I used my favorite kraft card stock for the base.  I used my favorite vanilla card stock for the main matt.  This card is a typical A2 size card: 4 1/4" x 5 1/2".

I used three different but beautiful pattern papers from French Flea Market.  The text pattern paper is just gorgeous.  What can I say, I love the writing.  The floral pattern paper is so pretty, and nostalgic.  And finally the blue damask is just timeless.  It also really high lights the blues in the small florals.  I just HAD to add some machine stitching to this card.  I did a simple single border stitch.  I used silver glitter paper for the parallel stripes.  I separated the glitter strips with a scrap piece of blue lagoon ribbon.  I thought that the blue ribbon also high lighted the blue blossoms.  {smile}  Pretty happy that it matchy-matchies.  And yeah, I machine stitched it to the card front.  I added two different, but beautiful trims in place of the vertical strips.  I added a cream crochet eyelet trim, and a green cotton embroidered trim.  The trims are attached to the card front with a simple zig-zag stitch.  (yeah, more machine stitching {smile})

For the sentiment piece, I found a pretty font, simple wording.  I stamped the sentiment in early espresso classic ink onto very vanilla card stock.  (my favorite vanilla card stock.)  And then matted it with that beautiful blue damask pattern paper.  I used foam tape at each corner, to help lift the sentiment off the front of the card.

I added a single floral button to the sentiment piece.  I cut off the shank with a pair of heavy duty scissors.  And viola! my card is complete.  And I am happy with how it came together.

Thank you so much for stopping by.  I hope you have a chance to play along with any or all of these beautiful challenge sites.  And remember, we all need time and space to get through some of life's messes.  Thank you for your support.

Coffee, Friends, and Birthdays

Howdy.  Me?  I've been crafting.  {smile}  Doesn't saying that statement, just make you happy?  It makes me happy!  One of my best friends, had a birthday last weekend.  And we celebrated today at work.  By 'celebrating' I mean, we had sweets, and ordered lunch.  I was going to make cupcakes, but she loves my fudge-y brownies.  So, I made brownies.  {smile}

I also made her birthday card.  I know that you are not surprised by that.  Right!  I was 'shopping' at a local paper crafting shop, when I spotted this new paper line by Julie Nutting French Flea Market.   This beautiful pattern paper collection, is perfect for both female birthday cards and Mother's Day cards.  

I stopped by one of my favorite sketch challenge sites: Mojo Monday.  This sketch challenge site is very user-friendly, and the design team will certainly inspire you with their creativity!

I love the large circle.  You know I instantly thought: doily!

I also stopped by another favorite challenge site: Word Art Wednesday.  I especially love this challenge site, because of their faith, creativity, and inspiration.    This challenge site, has Anything Goes & Family Friendly.  

and here is what I crafted:

Let me first apologize for the photography of this card.  I made the card @ 4a, and there was no natural sunlight.   And I was not able to download these images until after I delivered the card.  {frown}

Recipe: this is a typical A2 size card: 5 1/2" x 4 1/4".  I used the 'Accessories' paper for the main panel of this card.  I cut a narrow strip of 'Robe de Soiree' paper across the lower third of the card.  

I then sewn a simple border stitch around the card front.

For my large circle, I used a vanilla paper lace doily.  I thought it added a feminine accent.

I wrapped some pale blue seam binding around the card front, and tied a simple bow to the far right of the card.

I cut a scallop square from a die, using whisper white card stock.  I stamped my sentiment onto this scallop square.  I used the Prefect Blend stamp set by Stampin' Up! for the sentiment and the coffee cup(s).  I matted the sentiment square onto 'Belles Fleurs' paper.  

For the coffee cups, I did some stamping and fussy cutting.  I stamped the cups onto whisper white card stock.  And layered different pattern papers onto the stamped cups.  

For the bottom cup, I used back side of the of the 'Robe de Soiree' pattern paper.  I just love the blue damask print.  I used a scrap piece of the same paper for the coffee cuff.

For the top cup, I stamped the coffee cup onto 'Belles Fleurs' pattern paper.  I wanted to repeat the pink polka dots.  I stamped the coffee cuff onto a piece of 'Lettre D'Amour' pattern paper.  I adhered this cup to the card front with foam adhesive.  For a final touch, I added a tiny button to each coffee cuff.

Thank you for looking.  Again, my apologizes for the crummy photos.